Welcome to Hollywood, California Attractions

Some you've heard of before many, many times and some you've never known existed. Hollywood is one of the most written about city in the world, and so much of our pop culture is derived from this legendary city. Icons of our past and present come directly from this area known as the movie capitol of the world. Treasure the old, the new and the different!

Nowhere else in the world is a simple sign more recognizable than the Hollywood Sign that looks down over this vast entertainment capitol. Originally the sign read “Hollywoodland” and was built in 1923 to advertise the Hollywoodland Real Estate Company that was interested in selling the desert land they had available in California. Each letter of the sign stands 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide and is situated on the side of the Hollywood hills, lit brightly each night for all to enjoy. Intended only to remain for a year, these famous letters have endured for over 80 years now. The sign faded into disrepair at times and, at one point, the last four letters were removed to make it easier and less expensive to preserve. Today due to fundraising efforts and the collaborations of many of those in the entertainment business, the Hollywood Sign stands in tribute to all of those who travel here to find their fame and fortune. Enjoy it from afar though because security systems now protect this national treasure from those who intend to deface it. This shouldn't be too much of a problem since it can be seen for nearly 25 miles!

This theatre is like no other multiplex you will ever find in YOUR hometown! The Mann's Chinese Theatre, originally opened in 1927 by a man named Sid Grauman, was not only a movie theatre but an architectural marvel too. Grand movie openings were a common occurrence and stars flocked here to see and be seen. Nowadays many people still come to see a movie, but more than likely they come to see a feature here that came about purely by accident. It is said that during the construction of the theatre, footprints were left in the wet cement, and a tradition was born. Today only the most famous are given a ceremony specifically to place their hand and footprints in wet cement outside of the theatre. Hundreds of stars, past and present, have left their mark around this famous theatre. So many, you'll need a map!

Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holliday, Elton John…the list goes on and on of those that have played in this historic amphitheatre. Over the years it has grown from a simple outdoor theatre to one of the most famous performing arts centers in the world, and people strive to both play and watch here. The ground it sits on is part of the attraction since the theatre was built on beautiful parklands surrounded by the Bolton Canyon. The Hollywood Bowl has been attracting visitors since the summer of 1922 and currently the seating capacity is nearly 18,000 in this astounding outdoor setting. Come see a top named performer, or sit under the stars and savor the sounds of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, or the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Since 1960 when the first star was placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in honor of Joanne Woodward, it has grown to be one of the most popular Hollywood attractions. The Walk spans both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and contains the names of over 2500 famous people from the motion picture, recording, radio, live theatre and television industries. Each star is made of a bronze outline, embedded in pink and gray terrazzo and marked with the industry symbol for which the star was presented. The Walk covers over 5 acres and maps can be obtained to show you where your favorite stars are located. Many stars in the entertainment industry receive more than one star on the Walk of Fame because of their many contributions in several categories. Elaborate presentation celebrations are events not to be missed and many come out to see the honored star and other stars that may attend.

To walk through the gates of one of the big movie studios is what many actors and actresses aspire to do one day. Names like MGM, Paramount, Universal, Disney, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Brothers all bring visions of fame, fortune, notoriety, and honor. The studio gates that Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Humphrey Bogart, and Bette Davis walked through are the same gates that stars like Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, and Steven Spielberg pass through today. Many of the studios offer tours where you can see just the place that your favorite movies and television shows were made. Stop by some of the smaller studios; they can be just as exciting to visit. Check with each individual studio to find tour prices and times.

Originally known as the Hollywood Cemetery since its opening in 1899, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery has been the final resting place of many of the elite in the entertainment business. Names such as Cecile B. DeMille, Mel Blanc, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rudolph Valentino, and Tyrone Power are just a few of the famous names adorning elaborate headstones and memorials. It may sound strange, but this cemetery is quite a well-visited spot, and maps offer self-guided tours of the facility. Huge statues, ornate mausoleums, and unique touch-screen monitors furnish a glimpse into the lives of those who are buried here. Be aware though, some say the cemetery is haunted.

The Chateau Marmont could easily be mistaken for a mountain castle as it sits on the side of a hill overlooking the Sunset Strip. This famous, and even infamous, hotel was built in 1929 and was originally a well kept secret among the elite of the entertainment industry. Many a clandestine affair was held at the Chateau over time, yet the hotel holds onto its secrets of the past. In 1939 Founder of Columbia Pictures Harry Cohn was quoted as saying “If you must get into trouble; do it at the Chateau Marmont”. Strangely many have taken his advice! Jim Morrison, lead singer of the band ‘The Doors’, broke several ribs after falling from a window while intoxicated. Greta Garbo often checked in under assumed names, and Howard Hughes glared through binoculars at the bathing beauties sunning at the pool below his penthouse. James Dean reportedly hopped through a window to audition for Rebel Without a Cause. In the late 70s the Chateau was immortalized in the Eagles’ song Hotel California. But probably the most famous scar on this otherwise exemplary hotel came in 1982 when actor John Belushi was found in bungalow 3 after his death from an overdose. The Chateau Marmont still runs today as a luxury hotel and is well worth a night's stay, or even just a tour.

Learn as much as you can about how your favorite movies and television shows are made and the stars that you've enjoyed throughout history. The Hollywood Entertainment Museum gives you the interactive opportunity to see costume, special effects, sound and scenery exhibits and learn about how they affect the programs you watch. Onsite are the original sets from the programs Cheers, Star Trek and the X-Files; all on display for you to tour and enjoy. Permanent and traveling exhibits spotlight many of the different facets of movie making with great Hollywood memorabilia and photographs.

One of the newer attractions to the Hollywood area is the Kodak Theatre. Opened in 2001 the theatre is named because of the long running relationship that the Eastman Kodak company has with the film industry, and the dedication and sponsorship the Kodak Company has presented for over 70 years. The Theatre is now the permanent home of the annually held Academy Awards, or ’The Oscars’. It is also host to fabulous top name performances and spectacular events. This technological wonder was built with today's high standards in mind, and is well worth a visit!

From today's Academy Awards, to the Awards of yesteryear. The very first Academy Awards were held at the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel back in 1929 and reportedly only took about 15 minutes to complete (far from today's ceremonies that last for hours!). The Hotel itself was opened in 1927 as a collaboration investment by several top-named stars of the time including Louis B. Mayer, Douglas Fairbanks, Sid Grauman, Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. This plush hotel was a spot frequented by Hollywood ‘glitterati’ like Marylyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo. The Hotel's restaurant and nightclub onsite is called Cinegrill and it has been a hot spot since the early 30s featuring caberet and jazz shows where many stars were discovered and went on to fame. Today the Hotel remains in operation with exquisite accommodations. It has been featured in many films and still hosts elaborate parties after each Walk of Fame induction. Many claim that the Hotel is haunted and have reported sightings thought to be unsettled souls that came to Hollywood to make their mark, yet were unsuccessful. Stoll in the footsteps of these stars of yesteryear, and stop by the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, you just never know who you might come across.